Drumstick



Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES BLAINE VAN HORN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRUMSTICK.

Application flied April 1,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BLAINE VAN HORN, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Drumsticks, of which the ollowing is a specification. y p

This invention relates to drum sticks and the object thereof is to provide a novel, simple and improved structure by which the drummer is relieved of wrist strain, or strain of the nerves and the fingers, hands, wrists, and arms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drum stick having the tip or head therof resiliently mounted so as to relieve the drummer as above specified and to facilitate the execution of the roll, the tip of the stick being separable and so mounted as to rebound to normal or central position with respect to the stick proper or body portion thereof and to permit renewal thereof should occasion require.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is an. elevation of a drum stick constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlargedfragmentary central longitudinal section, more particularly showing the mounting of the tip or head,

Figures 3 and 4 are side elevation and end views respectively of an elastic element or insert employed in the mounting, and

Figure 5 is an elevation of a resilient element also employed in the mounting Referring to the drawings in detail, in which for purposes of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the drum stick proper or body is designated at 10 having the butt end or gripping portion 11 enlarged with respect to the tapered tip end 12. The tip or head,

13, which is of the usual or anypreferred shape, is enlarged in diameter with respect to the tip or neck portion 12 and made as a separable element from the stick proper. It is secured in position by a resilient mounting consisting of a resilient shank 1922. Serial No. 548,598. I

so as to prevent possible contact thereof with y the drum head.

Preferably ther is interposed between the end or base 19 of the tip or head 13 and the end portion 20 of the stick proper and also mounted on the element 14, an elastic insert or neck portion 21, preferably of rub ber but adapted to be of any other suitable elastic substance or one which will give the required elasticity to insure the rebound to normal central position of the tip or head 13 so that the latter will be centralized with respect to the stick, in addition to absorbing shocks incident to the use of the stick. Obviously, the ends of the elastic insert or neck element 21 may be properly secured or caused to adhere to the ends of the stick and tip 13 when they are disposed in contact and the faces are made to conform so that in appearance, the conformation is the same as an ordinary stick with the tip or head formed as an integral part of the stick proper or body portion, the base of the tip being somewhat enlarged with respect to the forwardly taperinginsert 21. i

In practice, the insert is provided with an axial opening 22 corresponding with the opening 16 and the free end of the stick is provided with an axial socket 23' so as to receive the resilient shank or nail 14 when the parts are assembled as shown in the drawings, or the nail may be driven or secured in position in any other preferred manner than by first drilling the openings and socket. As for instance, the insert 21. may be molded with the opening 22 and the tip or head 13 may be of any suitable material other than wood of which the stick proper is formed, when the parts are secured in position they may be shaped or may be so shaped or caused to conform prior to their application. In addition, the shank 14 may be knurled or otherwise roughened on its external surface as designated at 24, in order to engage the wall of the opening 16 and prevent turning of the tip 13 on said shank. This construction is merely illustrated as one simple and practical means cooperating between the nail or shank let and the wall ot the openin 16 ot' the tip or head 13 to prevent turning of the latter.

It will thus be seen that the shank or resilient mounting 1 t serves to attach the ti or head 13 to the free or ta )ered end of the stick 10 and in addition to absorbing shocks, due to lateral stresses or forces incident to the striking or drumming blows, as distinguished from longitudinal or end thrusts, stresses or forces, Facilitates the rebound of the stick in the hand of the drum mer upon contacting with the head of the drum, thereby facilitating rapid strokes as in executing a roll while the elastic neck portion or insert elen'ient 21 serves to steady the tip or heat 13 and insure it against undue vibration as well as cause the same to normally assume a central position. The major portion of the length of the shank or nail 14. is secured or anchored in the tip end of the stick proper bnt extends only a small or minor portion of the length of the stick. Nevertheless, this is suilicient to provide a firm anchoring for the shank as a mounting for the tip or head 13 and assisted by the elastic insert 21, will prevent distortion or bending of the shank. It has been found in practice that a drummer using sticks con structed in accordance with the invention will be greatly re 'eved of ncrw strain in the lingers, hands, wrists and arms.

lVhile I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A tapered drum stick having a separable tip resiliently mounted thereon; a resilient neck between the tip and stick; and

means extending through said tip and neck for anchoring them to the stick.

2. A drum stick having a tapered end, an enlarged head having an axial opening, said tapered end havin an axial socket; a resilient shank extending through the opening and into the socket and held against displacement thereby; elastic means between said head and tapered end means to hold the head from displacement at the end of the shank; and means to prevent the head from turning relative to the stick.

3. A. drum stick having a tapered end, an enlarged head having an axial opening, said tapered end having an axial socket; a resilient shank extending through the open" ing and into the socket and held against displacement thereby: means to retain the head from displacement at the end of the shank; and an elastic neck portion between the head and tapered end of the stick and having an opening engaged by the shank, the shank snugly fitting the openings and socket.

l. A drum stick comprising a stick proper; a tip resiliently and separably mounted on the stick to absorb shocks and cause rebound of the stick in use laterally of the stick; and means interposed between the tip and stick to normally centralize the tip with respect to the stick.

5. A drum stick comprising a stick pro er; a tip separably mounted on the stic to absorb shocks and cause rebound of the stick when in use; resilient means interposed between the tip and stick to normally centralize the ti with respect to the stick, said means constituting an additional shockabsorbing element; and a resilient member in said means, tip and stick for holding them in position and permitting lateral rebound of said tip.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BLAINE VAN HORN. Witnesses:

FRED L. LAMBRECHT, CHAS. E. For". 

